BETHEL — Advocates for Bethel’s Sex Offender Treatment Program fear a rise in recidivism rates for sex offenders following deep budget cuts and a significant staffing reduction for the program driven by decreased funding from the state Department of Corrections.
The program’s staff has been reduced from three members with a combined 40 years of experience to one member with four months of experience, KYUK-AM reported. Board members, former employees and advocates say the changes will end up costing the state more in the long run and will damage Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta communities.
“It’s a tailor made program for the YK Delta, and I hate to see it flounder for a lack of funding,” said Mike Grey, the Bethel District Attorney.
Since the program started in 2008 there has been a recidivism rate of 1.7 percent, almost half of the state’s average of 3 to 5 percent. Supporters of the program credit the low rate on area-specific treatments based on Yup’ik values and culture.
Besides participating in regular counseling sessions, the men in the program hunt and fish and then donate the meat to the Tundra Women’s Coalition, the local women and children’s shelter. They also donate meat to their victims’ families when it’s accepted.
Supporters of the program fear the recidivism rate could go up because the program relies heavily on the experience of staff members.
“I understand tough economic times,” Grey said, “but when you’ve got a program that’s really working, it’s a shame that they can’t find a way to keep getting the funds to keep the program going. And I just hate to see it fall apart, which is what I’m afraid is going to happen.”
The budget and staffing cuts come after lawmakers reduced correction department’s budget by more than $8.5 million.
DOC spokesman Corey Allen Young says the cost saving measures made sense.
“In light of the financial situation we’re in “if we can do it a lot cheaper and still have the same results, that’s what we’re going to do,” Young said.
